Goal to end homelessness among vets laudable, but is it realistic?

With a new influx of $5 million in federal funds and a smaller commitment of $800,000 more from the city in the mayor’s new budget, Emanuel says Chicago can meet what he calls our “moral obligation” to house all homeless vets in just 16 months.

“Nobody that served their country and volunteered to serve their country should come home and not have a roof over their head,” Emanuel told me Friday.

That’s very true. It’s a laudable goal, and I’m glad to see the mayor making the commitment.

As Wade himself told me, by setting a deadline, “they’ve made themselves accountable.”

“It’s great to hear. It’s something you can get behind,” Wade said.

Still, as a professional skeptic, I’m not convinced the deadline is particularly realistic—or even a reasonable assessment of the scope of the problem.